Chaffinch, Chiffchaff and Whitethroats were particularly good at getting themselves heard this morning! A Magpie cackled for some unknown reason hidden in the wildlife garden whilst another pair were happy exploring the car park. Of course the Robins and Blackbirds were very much active and a Skylark sang over South Field, despite vigorous wing beats to maintain its height. Overhead the pleasant call of one Herring Gull reminded me that the sea was out there beyond the mist. Indeed from the wares the sea and Anvil Point Lighthouse were visible as was the upper gully.
Although I found several Early English Gentian plants beside exposed bed rock, the flowers were closed tight like a shut umbrella (due to the lack of sunshine) thus only hints of Purple / Blue petals were visible. Both Oak and Stinging Nettle had dangling jewellery like flowers. The majority of the gully was awash with Hawthorn Blossom, however, following a cattle track I discovered the white flowers of Holly as well. Carpets of Milkwort and Horseshoe Vetch occurred in parts of the downs. Both Early Purple Orchid and Cowslip flowers could still be found in places.
Upon the wares a Kestrel flew past the mile markers and perched upon a telegraph pole. I thought I had lost sight of the bird but was delighted to discover it perched this time on the “climbing deterrent structure” of an electricity pole. Here it had a small mammal, clamped between its perch and talons, which it tore into pieces with its beak. Meanwhile, a frozen Roe Deer Buck had been distracted during its ascent up the gully slopes. A Swallow trio and a group of Linnets flew past whilst a Rabbit grazed on the roadside grasses. Quaking Oat Grass displayed its beautiful “lantern like” flower heads. A Cudweed with its downy leaves and stem growing out of a limestone crevice looked as if its yellow daisy like flowers would soon burst open.
A Carpet Moth rest with wings spread upon a fresh Teasel leaf. I thought from my sketches (why did I not photograph it) might have been a Royal Mantle although it that would have been a rather early emergence! An Ant investigated the remains of a beetle, disinterested in the wing cases which had been stripped from its body.